Obtaining New Zealand Permanent Residency

The Skilled Resident Visas that appear on New Zealand’s Green List are occupations that are highly sought after. This category provides migrant workers with employer-backed residency options and is considered one of the best ways to obtain New Zealand residency. The Green List comprises a wide variety of occupations, such as health workers, veterinarians, engineers, ICT specialists, teachers, and particular trade occupations. Although the list may be updated periodically, the ultimate goal is to facilitate the hiring of skilled migrants by providing a pathway to residency.

To qualify for the Skilled Resident Visa, you must meet specific requirements based on your occupation, such as a certain level of education or work experience, or a minimum salary. Additionally, you must be under 56 years of age and demonstrate a particular level of English proficiency for both yourself and any dependents over the age of 16.

You may apply for residency for both your partner and dependent children, provided that you have been in a genuine, stable relationship with your partner for at least 12 months, and your children are considered dependent until they reach the age of 24, with additional evidence of dependency required for those over the age of 20.

Skilled Residence: 3 Pathways for Migrants to Obtain New Zealand Residency

New Zealand’s Skilled Residence category offers three pathways for migrants seeking residency based on their employment in the country. Each pathway has specific requirements and eligibility criteria

Tier 1 Green List Occupations: Straight to Residence

Migrants who secure a role from an Accredited Employer in one of the Tier 1 occupations of the Green List may be eligible to apply for fast-track residence. This can be done from either overseas or within New Zealand. However, certain occupations require meeting a specific threshold in terms of qualifications, work experience, or salary.

Tier 2 Green List Occupations: Work to Residence

Migrants who secure a role from an Accredited Employer in one of the Tier 2 occupations of the Green List may be eligible to apply for residence after working for two years in that role within New Zealand. Experience may be counted from 29 September 2021. Again, certain occupations require meeting a specific threshold in terms of qualifications, work experience, or salary.

Highly Paid Roles: Work to Residence

Migrants who secure a highly paid role from an Accredited Employer and are paid at or above twice the median wage may be eligible to apply for residence after working for two years on that salary in any occupation. Experience may be counted from 29 September 2021..

The Skilled Migrant Category is a sought-after visa program that aims to draw skilled workers to New Zealand who can utilize or transfer their skills, integrate well into society, and make a positive contribution to the country. It serves as the main route to achieving permanent residency in New Zealand.

Attracting International Talent to Work in New Zealand

Through this category, Immigration New Zealand aims to provide local opportunities to global talents. The process consists of two steps, starting with the submission of an Expression of Interest in the form of a detailed questionnaire to assess suitability to meet the requirements. A personal adviser will guide applicants through each step of the process and help gather the necessary supporting information to prove claims.

Eligibility and Application Process for Skilled Migrant Visa

The Skilled Migrant Visa is a points-based system that awards points based on age, qualifications, work experience, or a job offer in New Zealand. An applicant’s Expression of Interest must be accepted and result in an Invitation to Apply for residency, which is issued to candidates who meet at least 180 points and satisfy mandatory health and character requirements. The number of points does not matter as long as the applicant can secure 180.

Processing Time for Skilled Migrant Visa

Processing times for Skilled Migrant Visa applications can vary, with prioritised applications taking an average of 4-7 weeks and non-prioritised applications taking 10-18 months. Applications may be prioritised based on occupational registration and high salary (twice the NZ Median wage).

Applying for New Zealand Permanent Residency through the Family Categories

To apply for permanent residence in New Zealand as a parent of a citizen or resident, you must follow a two-stage process. In the first stage, you need to submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI) under either Tier One or Tier Two of the Parent Category. Tier One applications are given priority and processed first before Tier Two applications. If your EOI is selected, you will receive an invitation to apply for residence.

Eligibility for Dependent Children under Family Dependent Category:

Dependent children of New Zealand citizens or residents may be eligible for permanent residence. However, they must meet all the requirements under the Family Dependent Category. It is essential to ensure that dependent children fulfil all the criteria for the category to avoid any complications or errors in the application process. It is recommended to seek advice from a licensed advisor to determine eligibility for any of the above categories.

The Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa:

The New Zealand government offers two options for partners of New Zealand citizens or residents to obtain a visa for residence. The first option is a permanent resident visa, which can be granted to partners who have lived together outside of New Zealand for a minimum of 5 years. However, the New Zealand citizen partner must either be overseas at the time of application or have returned to New Zealand for less than 3 months.

The second option is a residence visa, which can be applied for by partners who have lived together for more than 12 months with a New Zealand citizen or resident partner. Both options provide the opportunity for partners to become permanent residents in New Zealand.

The Parent Resident Visa

One of the resident visas available to parents of New Zealand residents is the Parent Resident Visa. This visa is based on a sponsorship by the New Zealand resident child and requires the sponsor to meet certain income criteria

The Parent Retirement Resident Visa

The Parent Retirement Resident Visa is an alternative option offered to parents of New Zealand residents who want to live, work, and study in the country on a permanent basis. To be eligible, applicants must fulfil specific financial requirements such as having a yearly income of at least NZ$60,000, investing NZ$1 million over a 4-year period, and having an additional NZ$500,000 for personal expenses. After four years, the visa holder can apply for permanent residence and may include their partner in the application.

Expert Guidance from Our Licensed Immigration Adviser

Meet our qualified licensed immigration adviser, who can guide you through the complexities of the immigration process with ease.

Anosh Joseph is the Director and Licensed Immigration Adviser representing Derrick Jones Immigration Consultants Limited.

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